Reviewer Comment Decoder
Understand common statistical reviewer requests and build a documented response plan.
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What the reviewer may mean
The reviewer needs to understand how the study size was chosen and what it can reasonably support.
What to check
- Find the original calculation or feasibility rationale and its date.
- State assumptions, planned outcome, allocation, and loss allowance if a calculation was performed.
- For a fixed existing sample, describe the constraint and the precision of estimates. Do not invent a prospective calculation.
A response approach
Explain the actual basis for the sample, add the missing assumptions or precision information, and acknowledge the resulting limitations.
Describe only work actually performed, with manuscript locations. These prompts need adapting to the exact comment and study.
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